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The Reason Joan Gave First Rose to This Golden Bachelorette Contestant

Vaseline September 19, 2024

Originally appeared on E! Online

**Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Everything’s coming up roses for this Golden Bachelorette contestant.

During the Sept. 18 premiere, Joan Vassos gave her first impression rose to 62-year-old Keith Gordon. As for what led her to offer him the prized petals? He just seemed to be there for the right reasons.

“I liked all those epic first impressions coming in funky cars and on horses and the things that people did,” Joan told E! News in an exclusive interview. “You usually think the first impression rose has to do with that, but for me, it really didn’t. It was more of the way he made me feel.”

To be fair, Keith did have a memorable entrance—forgoing the traditional limo and instead pulling up in a classic station wagon.

“The nostalgia of that old station wagon made me think back to my childhood,” Joan continued. “Actually, we had one that looked remarkably like that car. That’s how we traveled. We didn’t have a lot of money, so we would pack up the car and go places as a family. So that automatically gave me a good feeling.”

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But it was their talk on the hood of the car that really caused their relationship to bloom.

“We just had a nice, normal conversation, and he just made me feel comfortable immediately,” the 61-year-old added. “And then, honestly, when it was time for us to move on—like I had to greet the next guy—I really didn’t want to leave him.”

Keith Gordon, Golden Bachelorette — Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

And when Keith suggested they leave the Bachelor mansion to go have a wine-and-cheese picnic on the beach, Joan thought, “He makes me feel like that’s exactly what I would like to do right now. So I felt like he read me really well.”

While they didn’t end up leaving the cocktail party, the pair did manage to squeeze in some more one-on-one time—with them playing cornhole and having a fireside chat.

“When I got to have my conversation inside, he just felt like a big teddy bear,” Joan shared. “He made me feel safe. So it was more about the way he made me feel.”

In fact, the private school administrator revealed in a confessional that she hadn’t felt this way since her husband John Vassos died of pancreatic cancer in 2021.

“I feel like I’m out there kind of floating,” she added, “and he just has this very warm and easy way about him. He is a quick laugh. He’s also very sincere and he just makes me feel comfortable. I’ve become more and more encouraged that this is going to work.”

Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos — Disney/Gilles Mingasson

Apparently, those feelings were mutual.

“Joan is just so easy to talk to,” Keith told the cameras. “She’s just beautiful. It was just fluid. It was easy. It was natural. When I looked into her eyes, when I see how she looks back, I know that I have a special connection with her. There’s something there that maybe we can build on.”

For those wanting to learn more about Keith, he’s a girl dad from San Jose, Calif.

“I get excited about life,” the suitor told viewers. “I’m a sensitive person. I lead with my heart. I love people, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

During the episode, he also opened up about his hope for a second chance at love.

“I’ve been the sole parent for my kids for really the last 12 years,” Keith added. “That’s when we had to separate from my ex-wife. Addiction was in the family. So, I had to try to give my daughters some sort of stability in their life. I’ve given them all this time and effort and love over the years, and that’ll never change. But I think it’s time for me to maybe try to find love and move forward in my life as well with someone.”

As for whether that someone is Joan, fans will have to watch her journey to find out.

“Like every finale in the Bachelor history, everyone’s is kind of unique—mine is also,” she told E!. “And I think I ended up exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

For now, keep reading to see where more Bachelor stars stand.

Victoria Fuller & Greg Grippo